The Relationship Between Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Epicardial Adipose Tissue

Abstract Background: Inflammation, which is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, plays a critical role in the development of both cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cancer. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker which also has proinflammatory properties. Recent studies have reported CEA to be associated with atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and visceral adiposity. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) can exhibit highly inflammatory and pathogenic properties, and is a known risk factor for CMD. However, its relationship with CEA is still unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the possible association of CEA with EAT. Methods: A total of 134 Caucasian (males = 56, females = 78) individuals, aged (22-83 years), who were admitted for routine health control, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. CEA was measured with chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). EAT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography, and the visceral fat rating (VFR) was assessed by a body composition analyzing machine. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: CEA levels were categorized as tertiles: T1, 0.5-1.04; T2, 1.06-1.69; and T3, ≥1.7 ng/ml. The mean age, weight, VFR, EAT, and fasting glucose, as well as the median of systolic blood pressure (SBP), creatinine, and AST increased with the increasing CEA tertiles. CEA was significantly associated with EAT (r = 0.55, P<0.001) and VFR (r = 0.36, P<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed that gender, age, and EAT were the significant independent variables associated with CEA. Conclusion: Individuals with increased EAT have higher levels of CEA, suggesting that this biomarker is most likely produced by EAT; however, additional investigations are required to improve the present work.

Expressions of mRNA and encoded proteins of mitochondrial uncoupling protein genes (UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3) in epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue and associations with coronary artery disease

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the expression of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA and encoded proteins in epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissues in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and methods: We studied 60 patients with CAD and 106 patients undergoing valve replacement surgery (controls). Expression levels of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA and encoded proteins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: We found increased UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA levels in the epicardial adipose tissue in the CAD versus the control group, and higher UCP1 and UCP3 mRNA expression in the epicardial compared with the mediastinal tissue in the CAD group. There was also increased expression of UCP1 protein in the epicardial tissue and UCP2 protein in the mediastinum tissue in patients with CAD. Finally, UCP1 expression was associated with levels of fasting plasma glucose, and UCP3 expression was associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density cholesterol in the epicardial tissue. Conclusions: Our study supports the hypothesis that higher mRNA expression by UCP genes in the epicardial adipose tissue could be a protective mechanism against the production of reactive oxygen species and may guard the myocardium against damage. Thus, UCP levels are essential to maintain the adaptive phase of cardiac injury in the presence of metabolic disorders.

Tejido adiposo epicárdico como predictor de enfermedad coronaria. ¿Un nuevo parámetro para la estratificación del riesgo cardiovascular? / Epicardial Adipose Tissue as Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease. A New Parameter to Stratify Cardiovascular Risk?

RESUMEN La asociación entre el tejido adiposo visceral y la enfermedad cardiovascular ha sido claramente establecida. Asimismo, se ha determinado que la adiposidad ectópica se asocia con un mayor riesgo cardiovascular en comparación a la adiposidad subcutánea. En este contexto, múltiples investigaciones han evaluado el rol del tejido adiposo epicárdico (TAE) en la enfermedad cardiovascular. El TAE se localiza entre la superficie miocárdica y la hoja visceral del pericardio, y puede cuantificarse mediante técnicas no invasivas como ser el ecocardiograma, la tomografía computada o la resonancia nuclear magnética. El TAE no es simplemente un órgano de depósito. Actualmente, se considera que es un tejido metabólicamente activo capaz de secretar múltiples adipoquinas que actúan mediante diferentes vías de señalización parácrina, endócrina, vasócrina y/o autócrina. La evidencia actual sugiere que el TAE puede ser un factor contribuyente en la patogénesis de la enfermedad coronaria, asociándose además con su gravedad y progresión. En ese sentido, algunos autores han postulado al TAE como un nuevo factor de riesgo cardiovascular y como un potencial blanco terapéutico. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar la relación del TAE con la enfermedad cardiovascular, principalmente con la enfermedad coronaria.

ABSTRACT The association between visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular disease has been clearly established. Likewise, it has been determined that ectopic adiposity is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk compared to subcutaneous adiposity. In this context, multiple investigations have evaluated the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in cardiovascular disease. EAT is located between the myocardial surface and the visceral layer of the pericardium, and can be quantified by noninvasive techniques such as echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. The EAT is not simply a storage organ. Currently, it is considered to be a metabolically active tissue capable of secreting multiple adipokines that act through different paracrine, endocrine, vasocrine and/or autocrine signaling pathways. Current evidence suggests that EAT may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, as well as being associated with its severity and progression. In this sense, some authors have postulated EAT as a new cardiovascular risk factor and as a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this review is to analyze the association between EAT and cardiovascular disease, mainly coronary artery disease.

Relação entre Gordura Epicárdica e Fibrilação Atrial Não Pode Ser Totalmente Explicada pela Fibrose Atrial Esquerda / The Relationship between Epicardial Fat and Atrial Fibrillation Cannot Be Fully Explained by Left Atrial Fibrosis

Resumo Fundamento O tecido adiposo epicárdico (TAE) tem sido associado à fibrilação atrial (FA), mas seus mecanismos fisiopatológicos permanecem obscuros. Objetivos Medir a correlação entre TAE e fibrose do átrio esquerdo (AE), e avaliar sua capacidade de prever recidiva após o isolamento da veia pulmonar (IVP). Métodos Pacientes com FA inscritos para um primeiro procedimento de IVP foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada (TC) cardíaca e ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) em menos de 48 horas. Quantificou-se o TAECE em imagens de TC realçadas com contraste no nível do tronco da coronária esquerda. Quantificou-se a fibrose do AE em RMC tridimensional com realce tardio isotrópico de 1,5 mm. Após o isolamento da veia pulmonar (IVP), os pacientes foram submetidos a seguimento para checar a recidiva da FA. A significância estatística foi definida com p<0,05. Resultados A maioria dos 68 pacientes (46 homens, idade 61±12 anos) tinha FA paroxística (71%, n=48). Os pacientes apresentavam volume TAECE mediano de 2,4 cm3/m2 (intervalo interquartil [IIQ] 1,6-3,2 cm3/m2) e um volume médio de fibrose do AE de 8,9 g (IIQ 5-15 g). A correlação entre TAECE e fibrose do AE foi estatisticamente significativa, mas fraca (coeficiente de correlação de postos de Spearman = 0,40, p=0,001). Durante um seguimento médio de 22 meses (IIQ 12-31), 31 pacientes (46%) tiveram recidiva da FA. A análise multivariada produziu dois preditores independentes de recidiva da FA: TAECE (FC 2,05, IC de 95% 1,51-2,79, p<0,001) e FA não paroxística (FC 2,36, IC de 95% 1,08-5,16, p=0,031). Conclusão A correlação fraca entre TAE e AE sugere que a fibrose do AE não é o principal mecanismo que liga o TAE e a FA. O TAE mostrou-se mais fortemente associado à recidiva da FA do que à fibrose do AE, corroborando a existência de outros mediadores mais importantes do TAE e da FA.

Abstract Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), but its pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Objectives To measure the correlation between EAT and left atrium (LA) fibrosis, and to assess their ability to predict relapse after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods Patients with AF enrolled for a first PVI procedure underwent both cardiac computerized tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging within less than 48 hours. EATLMwas quantified on contrast-enhanced CT images at the level of the left main. LA fibrosis was quantified on isotropic 1.5 mm 3D delayed enhancement CMR. After pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), patients were followed up for AF relapse. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results Most of the 68 patients (46 men, age 61±12 years) had paroxysmal AF (71%, n=48). Patients had a median EATLMvolume of 2.4 cm3/m2(interquartile range [IQR] 1.6-3.2 cm3/m2), and a median amount of LA fibrosis of 8.9 g (IQR 5-15 g). The correlation between EATLMand LA fibrosis was statistically significant but weak (Spearman's R=0.40, p=0.001). During a median follow-up of 22 months (IQR 12-31), 31 patients (46%) had AF relapse. Multivariate analysis yielded two independent predictors of AF relapse: EATLM(HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.51-2.79, p<0.001), and non-paroxysmal AF (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.08-5.16, p=0.031). Conclusion The weak correlation between EAT and LA suggests that LA fibrosis is not the main mechanism linking EAT and AF. EAT was more strongly associated with AF relapse than LA fibrosis, supporting the existence of other more important mediators of EAT and AF.

Alcoholización de la vena de Marshall: una alternativa rápida, útil y efectiva en el tratamiento del aleteo auricular perimitral. Una descripción de la técnica / Marshall vein alcoholization, fast, useful and effective alternative in the treatment of perimitral atrial flutter. A description of the technique

Resumen Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 68 años con aleteo auricular perimitral recurrente a terapia antiarrítmica en el seguimiento de ablación de venas pulmonares por fibrilación auricular. En este caso no se logra el control de la arritmia a pesar de una aproximación usual; se aplica radiofrecuencia endoepicárdica del istmo mitral. En vista de lo anterior, se decide realizar alcoholización de la vena de Marshall; una técnica rápida, útil y efectiva en el control de esta arritmia. A continuación, se describe el paso a paso con el objetivo de familiarizar a los cardiólogos intervencionistas con esta técnica. A la fecha, el paciente se encuentra en ritmo sinusal y sin recurrencia de la arritmia en el seguimiento.

Abstract The case of a 68-year-old patient with recurrent perimitral atrial flutter to anti-arrhythmic therapy in the follow-up of pulmonary vein ablation due to atrial fibrillation is presented. In our case, arrhythmia control is not achieved despite a usual approach; Endo-epicardial radiofrequency application at the mitral isthmus level. Given the above, it was decided to alcoholize Marshall’s vein; a fast, useful and effective technique in the control of this arrhythmia. Here is a step-by-step guide to familiarize interventional cardiologists with this technique. The patient is in sinus rhythm and without recurrence of the arrhythmia at follow-up.

Cardiac Perforation by Permanent Pacemaker Lead, One Year after Implantation — An Unusual Occurrence and Its Management

Delayed Cardiac Perforation by Permanent Pacemaker lead beyond one year of implantation is rare. It is also rarer in passive fixation lead, compared to active fixation lead. There is no Universal consensus regarding management of such cases with percutaneous versus surgical removal of the lead followed by re-implantation. Here we report a case of Right Ventricular (RV) perforation by a passive fixation permanent lead, in an 81-year-old lady, 14 months after implantation, who presented with Pacemaker capture failure but in hemodynamically stable condition. Pacemaker lead had migrated up to the Lower Lobe of Left Lung, Perforating Right Ventricle, pericardium and Left Pleura. We managed this case with open lead removal under direct vision by Lower Median Sternotomy, followed by implantation of an Epicardial Lead and Pacemaker

Frecuencia de lesiones coronarias epicárdicas en pacientes con cardiopatía dilatada en un Departamento de Cardiología en el periodo 2015 - 2021 / Frequency of epicardial coronary lesions in patients with Dilated Heart Disease in a Department of Cardiology in the period from 2015 to 2021

RESUMEN Introducción: la cardiopatía dilatada definida como la dilatación de cavidades cardiacas de múltiples etiologías tiene una prevalencia en adultos de alrededor de 1/2.500 individuos. La ecocardiografía transtorácica determina la dilatación de cavidades y evalúa la función ventricular mientras que la cinecoronariografía permite identificar la etiología principalmente isquémica por afección de arterias coronarias epicárdicas. La utilización de la cinecoronariografía como primera línea para el diagnóstico etiológico, implica riesgos propios de un método invasivo con un alto costo en recursos económicos, por lo cual es imperioso determinar el posible resultado de dicho procedimiento. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de lesiones coronarias epicárdicas en pacientes con Cardiopatía Dilatada en un Departamento de Cardiología en el periodo del 2015 ­ 2021. Metodología: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y de corte transversal con muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, mediante la revisión en la base de datos en un Departamento de Cardiología. Resultados: este estudio incluyó a 88 pacientes, con disnea en clase funcional II-IV de la NYHA y cardiopatía dilatada por ecocardiografía, de etiología no filiada. De éste grupo, 66 % eran varones y 34 % mujeres, la media de edad fue de 56 ± 11,19 años. Al ser sometidos a cinecoronariografía diagnostica, se constató que el 23 % presentó lesiones coronarias epicárdicas, siendo la más frecuente la lesión de un vaso (55 %), predominando el sexo masculino en aquellos con o sin lesiones coronarias epicárdicas. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de lesiones coronarias epicárdicas en pacientes con cardiopatía dilatada, es baja.

ABSTRACT Introduction: dilated heart disease defined as the dilation of cardiac cavities of multiple etiologies has a prevalence in adults of around 1/2.500 individuals. Transthoracic echocardiography determines chamber dilation and evaluates ventricular function, while coronary angiography can identify the mainly ischemic etiology due to involvement of the epicardial coronary arteries. The use of coronary angiography as the first line for the etiological diagnosis implies risks of an invasive method with a high cost in economic resources, for which it is imperative to determine the possible result of said procedure. Objective: to determine the frequency of epicardial coronary lesions in patients with Dilated Heart Disease in a Departmento de Cardiología in the period 2015-2021. Methodology: observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic convenience sampling, by reviewing the database in a Departmento de Cardiología. Results: this study included 88 patients, with dyspnea in NYHA functional class II-IV and dilated heart disease by echocardiography, of unknown etiology. Out of this group, 66% were men and 34 % women, the mean age was 56 ± 11.19 years. When undergoing diagnostic cinecoronariography, it was found that 23 % had epicardial coronary lesions, the most frequent being a lesion of a vessel (55 %), with the male sex predominating in those with or without epicardial coronary lesions. Conclusions: the frequency of epicardial coronary lesions in patients with dilated heart disease is low.

Correlation between Epicardial Fat Thickness and Clinical and Anthropometric Variables in an Elderly Population

Abstract Background Epicardial fat (EF) thickness is a marker of visceral adiposity and consequently considered an important predictive marker of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Objective To describe echocardiographic features of the heart in an elderly population and to study the correlation between EF thickness and clinical and anthropometric variables. Methods A sample of 34 individuals (25 women) aged between 65 and 92 years, who attended a private institution in the central region of Continental Portugal, was analyzed. A standardized sociodemographic questionnaire was applied, and anthropometric assessment, echocardiography and blood pressure measurement were performed in all subjects. A correlational analysis of EF thickness with anthropometric and clinical parameters was performed. The association between variables was tested by Pearson's correlation and point-biserial correlation. A value of p < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results EF thickness was higher in males (6.0 ± 1.4 mm vs 5.2 ± 0.9 mm in females), and ranged from 4 to 9 mm. There were statistically significant correlations between EF thickness and weight (r = 0.4; p = 0.02), body surface area (r = 0.4; p = 0.02), lean mass (r = 0.4; p = 0.03), calf circumference (r = 0.5; p = 0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r = 0.3; p = 0.04). Conclusion EF thickness was higher in males and was significantly correlated with anthropometric parameters of adiposity and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

The correlation between left atrial fat gray value and the prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation treated by thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze the correlation between the gray value of epicardial fat and the prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated by thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Methods    The clinical data of 97 patients, including 75 males and 22 females with an average age of 57.8±9.4 years, who underwent thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation in Fuwai Hospital from 2017 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The left atrial fat volume and average gray scale were calculated by left atrial enhanced CT. According to the average gray scale of left atrial fat tissue, the patients were divided into three groups: a high gray scale group, a medium gray scale group and a low gray scale group. The patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. The end point of follow-up was the recovery rate of sinus rhythm. Survival analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CT features of epicardial fat enhancement and prognosis. Results    After adjustment of body mass index, body surface area, gender and left atrial end diastolic diameter, regression analysis showed that the fat gray of left atrial enhanced CT was correlated with the type of AF (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.12-0.79, P=0.014). Cox regression analysis showed that the fat gray value of left atrial CT predicted the recurrence of AF after thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation (OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.85-0.99). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed significant difference in the long-term recurrence rate of AF among the three groups (P=0.011). The lower left atrial fat enhanced CT gray scale was, the higher long-term recurrence rate of AF was. Conclusion    The gray value of left atrial fat enhanced CT can effectively predict the recurrence of AF after radiofrequency ablation in thoracoscopic surgery.

Epicardial Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia by Re-median Sternotomy in a Patient with Double Mechanical Heart Valves / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The patient is a 39-year-old-man who had rheumatic heart disease and had undergone mitral and aortic valve replacements with mechanical St. Jude prostheses as well as tricuspid valve repair and a MAZE procedure 17 years previously. He was admitted with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted. Four months later, he was admitted again with VT, and attempts to manage the VT with drugs were not successful. We performed electro-anatomical mapping and ablation for VT by re-median sternotomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. At 15 months after surgery, no recurrence of VT was recognized.

Correlation between the percentage of epicardial adipose tissue in the pericardium and early cardiac function changes in type 2 diabetic patients without heart failure / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the correlation between the percentage of epicardial adipose tissue（EAT） and cardiac function in type 2 diabetes mellitus without heart failure. 【Methods】 We recruited diabetic inpatients and random non-diabetic inpatients who underwent CTA examinations in the Imaging Department of The First Affiliated Hospital， Xi’an Jiaotong University， from 2012 to 2014 as the research subjects. Their clinical data， laboratory examinations， echocardiography， and EAT quantification based on cardiac CTA were analyzed retrospectively. The parameters were compared between the two groups. Then the correlation between cardiac function parameters and EAT parameters was analyzed. 【Results】 Compared with those in control group， type 2 diabetic patients without heart failure had lower left ventricular stroke volume （61.41±15.95 vs. 79.41±15.19， P=0.047）， and the percentage of EAT in the pericardium， plasma total cholesterol， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all related to it. The correlation coefficients were -0.501， -0.136， and -0.377. The percentage of EAT in the pericardium still had a moderately linear negative correlation with SV when the other factors were under control （r=-0.470， P<0.001）. 【Conclusion】 The percentage of EAT is asseated with early decreased left ventricular SV in patients with type 2 diabetes. It can be used as a sensitive index to quantify cardiac function abnormalities in type 2 diabetes.

Two-staged hybrid ablation versus thoracoscopic epicardial ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: Mid-long term result of a randomized controlled trial / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the efficacy of hybrid ablation through compared with thoracoscopic epicardial ablation. Methods    In this study, 108 patients with all long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) received thoracoscopic epicardial ablation (TEA) after enrollment. There were 82 males and 26 females at age of 56.5±9.4 years. After blanking-period, patients off antiarrhythmic therapy with sinus rhythm were divided into a hybrid ablation (HA) group (50 patients) and a TEA group (58 patients). Only patients in the HA group received catheter ablation after randomization subsequently. In at least two-year observation period, cardiovascular risk factors were observed in all groups’ patients. Results    The mean follow-up duration was 17.3-41.8 (26.9±6.1) months and there was no significant difference between two groups [8.2-40.6 (27.5±5.7) months in the HA group and 17.3-41.8 (26.4±6.7) months in the TEA group]. The off antiarrhythmic agents (AADs) sinus rhythm rate was significantly higher in the HA group than that in the TEA group at the time of postoperative 6, 12, 24 and 36 months ［96.0%, 90.0%, 83.7%, 83.7% versus 79.3%, 75.9%, 67.3%, 63.1%, HR=0.415 (95%CI 0.206-0.923)]. Conclusion    We can conclude that the efficacy of two-staged hybrid ablation for LSPAF is superior to thoracoscopic epicardial ablation alone. Patients can obtain benefit from a supplemental radiofrequency catheter ablation after blanking-period of surgical ablation, instead of those without a supplemental ablation.

Study of the correlation of epicardial adipose tissue with left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index in patients with essential hypertension

Background: Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) is recognized to be a cardiovascular risk factor. In addition to providing fuel to heart, it plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis though the secretion of adipokines. This study aims to find the correlation of EAT with Left Ventricular Mass (LVM) and Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) in patients with essential hypertension. Increasing LVM and LVMI are predictors of poor cardiovascular outcome. So, if we find a positive correlation, we can say that measurement of epicardial fat in essential hypertension may help us identify high risk hypertensive patients.Methods: This study was carried out in SMS Hospital, Jaipur, after approval from the Ethics Committee. 100 consecutive eligible patients were included in the study after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and taking proper informed consent. After history, examination and routine laboratory investigations, all patients underwent transthoracic 2D and Doppler echocardiography. EAT thickness, LVM and LVMI were measured and correlated using Spearman correlation coefficient.Results: The mean LVM was 139±42.12 g and mean LVMI was 35.76±11.28 g/m2.7. The spearman correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to be 0.691 between EAT and LVM and 0.677 between EAT and LVMI, indicating strong positive correlation between EAT and both LVM and LVMI. This implies that as; EAT increases, LVM and LVMI increases significantly.Conclusions: Thus, authors have found that EAT is positively correlated with LVM and LVMI. So, we can say that increase in EAT may lead to adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with essential hypertension.

Assessment of atrial fibrillation inducibility based on epicardial mapping signals / 生物医学工程学杂志

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinic, which can cause hemodynamic changes, heart failure and stroke, and seriously affect human life and health. As a self-promoting disease, the treatment of AF can become more and more difficult with the deterioration of the disease, and the early prediction and intervention of AF is the key to curbing the deterioration of the disease. Based on this, in this study, by controlling the dose of acetylcholine, we changed the AF vulnerability of five mongrel dogs and tried to assess it by analyzing the electrophysiology of atrial epicardium under different states of sinus rhythm. Here, indices from four aspects were proposed to study the atrial activation rule. They are the variability of atrial activation rhythm, the change of the earliest atrial activation, the change of atrial activation delay and the left-right atrial dyssynchrony. By using binary logistic regression analysis, multiple indices above were transformed into the AF inducibility, which were used to classify the signals during sinus rhythm. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of classification reached 85.7%, 95.8% and 91.7%, respectively. As the experimental results show, the proposed method has the ability to assess the AF vulnerability of atrium, which is of great clinical significance for the early prediction and intervention of AF.

MSCT evaluates the correlation between epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveEpicardial adipose tissue directly affects coronary arteries and myocardium due to its special anatomical position and physiological function, but its exact effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have yet to be confirmed. In this paper, the epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) was quantitatively measured by Multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to evaluate the correlation between EATV and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM.MethodsThe clinical data of 172 patients with coronary heart disease and coronary artery computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) were retrospectively analyzed in the first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university from December 2015 to March 2018. According to the diagnostic criteria for CHD and T2DM, the patients included in the study were divided into the CHD group (45 cases), the T2DM group (44 cases), the T2DM group (42 cases) and the control group (41 cases). The clinical data was measured and recorded such as gender, age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other relevant clinical data in each group. EATV was measured by CT post-processing workstation. Compared the differences of related data between groups, it was analyzed the risk factors of diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease by Logistic regression. The degree of coronary artery stenosis was quantified by Gensini, and analyzed its correlation with EATV. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the suspicious value range of EATV.ResultsIn the CHD group, the diabetes group and the diabetic CHD group, EATV, LDL-C and TC were all higher than those in the control group respectively [(150.10±31.64)cm3, (145.56±37.89)cm3, (167.07±40.00)cm3 vs (115.44±27.95）cm3;（2.44±0.88) mmol/L, (2.47±0.86）mmol/L, （2.50±0.97) mmol/L vs (1.90±0.59) mmol/L; (4.19±0.99) mmol/L, (4.43±0.95）mmol/L,（4.32±1.57）mmol/L vs （3.70±0.59）mmol/L], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). TG level in the diabetes group was higher than that in the control group [（2.18±1.54）mmol/L vs （1.32±0.61）mmol/L] (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that EATV, age and BMI were independent risk factors for diabetes mellitus with coronary heart disease. The Gensini integral of coronary artery stenosis was positively correlated with EATV (r=0.528, P=0.000). The ROC curve showed that EATV had a high predictive value for coronary heart disease in diabetic patients (AUC=0.767).ConclusionEATV was positively correlated with the severity of coronary heart disease in diabetic patients. The determination of EATV by MSCT has good repeatability and is worthy of clinical promotion.

MSCT evaluates the correlation between epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveEpicardial adipose tissue directly affects coronary arteries and myocardium due to its special anatomical position and physiological function, but its exact effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have yet to be confirmed. In this paper, the epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) was quantitatively measured by Multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to evaluate the correlation between EATV and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM.MethodsThe clinical data of 172 patients with coronary heart disease and coronary artery computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) were retrospectively analyzed in the first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university from December 2015 to March 2018. According to the diagnostic criteria for CHD and T2DM, the patients included in the study were divided into the CHD group (45 cases), the T2DM group (44 cases), the T2DM group (42 cases) and the control group (41 cases). The clinical data was measured and recorded such as gender, age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other relevant clinical data in each group. EATV was measured by CT post-processing workstation. Compared the differences of related data between groups, it was analyzed the risk factors of diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease by Logistic regression. The degree of coronary artery stenosis was quantified by Gensini, and analyzed its correlation with EATV. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the suspicious value range of EATV.ResultsIn the CHD group, the diabetes group and the diabetic CHD group, EATV, LDL-C and TC were all higher than those in the control group respectively [(150.10±31.64)cm3, (145.56±37.89)cm3, (167.07±40.00)cm3 vs (115.44±27.95）cm3;（2.44±0.88) mmol/L, (2.47±0.86）mmol/L, （2.50±0.97) mmol/L vs (1.90±0.59) mmol/L; (4.19±0.99) mmol/L, (4.43±0.95）mmol/L,（4.32±1.57）mmol/L vs （3.70±0.59）mmol/L], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). TG level in the diabetes group was higher than that in the control group [（2.18±1.54）mmol/L vs （1.32±0.61）mmol/L] (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that EATV, age and BMI were independent risk factors for diabetes mellitus with coronary heart disease. The Gensini integral of coronary artery stenosis was positively correlated with EATV (r=0.528, P=0.000). The ROC curve showed that EATV had a high predictive value for coronary heart disease in diabetic patients (AUC=0.767).ConclusionEATV was positively correlated with the severity of coronary heart disease in diabetic patients. The determination of EATV by MSCT has good repeatability and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Disección epicárdica aguda fisurada durante revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica secundaria al uso de estabilizador cardíaco / Acute epicardial dissection rupture during surgical myocardial revascularization secondary to the use of cardiac stabilizer

RESUMEN A finales de la década de los '90, la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica sin circulación extracorpórea tomó gran auge, por lo que -en muchos centros de cirugía cardíaca- pasó a ocupar la manera más frecuente de realizarla, en aras de reducir sus complicaciones. Para ejecutarla, las diferentes firmas de fabricantes de equipos médicos pusieron a disposición de la comunidad quirúrgica estabilizadores retráctiles para facilitar el posicionamiento cardíaco por succión y presión, para revascularizar, sobre todo, los sectores lateral y posterior; además, para la estabilización del segmento coronario. Estos dispositivos han mostrado seguridad y eficacia; sin embargo, el paciente que se presenta constituye un caso aislado, donde se produjo disección epicárdica secundaria al uso de estabilizadores. A pesar de su complejidad, esta complicación pudo ser solucionada con técnica de parche pericárdico circular endomiocárdico y reparación ventricular, y el paciente tuvo una evolución satisfactoria.

ABSTRACT At the end of the 1990s, off-pump myocardial revascularization surgery gained momentum. Hence, a number of cardiac surgery centers adopted it as the most frequent surgical procedure to reduce complications. To implement it, the many medical equipment companies provided the surgical community with retractable stabilizers to facilitate cardiac positioning by suction and pressure, especially for lateral and posterior wall revascularization and coronary segment stabilization. These devices have been shown to be safe and effective; however, the patient presented is a rare case, in which epicardial dissection occurred secondary to the use of stabilizers. Although complex, this complication was eventually resolved with an endomyocardial circular pericardial patch technique and ventricular repair. The patient had a satisfactory outcome.

‘Coronary Sinus Filling Time’- For Diagnosis of Microvascular Disease in Patients with Chronic Stable Angina

Patients having angina with normal epicardial coronary arteries are often considered to have coronary microvascular dysfunction that may result in coronary slow flow. Delayed Coronary Sinus Filling Time (CSFT) may represent transit time through coronary microcirculation.We evaluated CSFT in patients having angina with normal epicardial coronary arteries and compared it with control population. Methods: 31 patients having definite angina or probable angina with positive exercise tolerance test with normal epicardial coronary arteries in coronary angiogram (CAG) were included in the study group. 31 patients having normal epicardial coronary arteries in CAG during preoperative evaluation before surgical treatment for valvular and congenital heart diseases were in control group. CSFT, TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) frame count, cTIMI (Corrected TIMI) frame count and TMP (TIMI Myocardial Perfusion) score were assessed in CAG of both group and compared between groups. Results: Patients’ Mean±SD of age in study and control group were 48.84±9.50years and 46.71±5.53years respectively with no significant difference (p=0.569) and there was female preponderance (55% and 65%) in both groups. CSFT was significantly prolonged in study group (4.22±0.71sec vs. 3.65±0.25sec, P value 0.001) but TIMI frame count, cTIMI and TMP showed no significant difference between two groups (25.71±5.74 vs. 26.74±3.81, p= 0.552; 14.76±3.6 vs. 15.4±2.56, p=0.449; 2.54±0.5 vs. 2.61±0.49, p=0.326; respectively). Conclusion: We concluded that CSFT was significantly prolonged in patients having angina with normal epicardial coronary arteries which might be a marker for diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease.